Threat to CE Supervisors completely unacceptable – Michael Moynihan

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan has described as disgraceful a letter issued by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to CE Supervisors stating that it will “review the funding allocated to your organisation having regard to the industrial action taken”.

CE supervisors and assistant supervisors have been forced to engage in a nationwide day of industrial action on Monday to protest their lack of pension entitlements.

Deputy Moynihan explained, “CE supervisors and assistant supervisors have become deeply disillusioned with this government over the past number of years as their calls for an occupational pension have been ignored. Regina Doherty and her Ministerial colleagues appear oblivious to the importance of these roles in communities the length and breadth of this country.

“Supervisors and assistant supervisors are key to the success of CE schemes, but unfortunately more than 250 have retired since the Labour Court recommended the establishment of a pension scheme 2008. Despite that ruling, and motion brought forward by Fianna Fáil last year, the government has failed to move on this issue.

“These supervisors and assistant supervisors see no other option other than to engage in industrial action and now they are having their future funding threatened by the Department. This is disgraceful.

“I am calling on the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Minister for Finance to engage with the unions, rather than threatening them, and to begin a process whereby the Labour Court recommendations can be fulfilled. These supervisors are the lifeblood of thousands of communities across this country and they are only asking for what they are entitled to”, concluded Deputy Moynihan.